With just over a month until 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages (edited by Dr. Nora Gold) is released, we are excited to be able to share an excerpt of a story from this beautifully curated anthology of Jewish literature. Keep reading!
The Guest
By Varda Fiszbein
Translated from Spanish by Andrea G. Labinger
Intuition or luck? The opportunity was in the guest’s hands and he knew how to seize it.
The fact is that he guessed someone like my grandfather could only react as he did. In a God-fearing man, one respectful of Mosaic Law, the sense of tradition prevails even above feelings. He may not have been rich, but every year when the Pesach festivities rolled around, he would conduct his Seder surrounded by his family like a king.
Elegant in his dark suit, with a gold chain draped across his chest, he sits in an armchair at the head of the table as if it were a throne, his head resting on a cushion designed especially for that day, a cushion on which the Star of David, delicately embroidered, stands out against a blue velvet background.
I was only thirteen and felt slightly out of place. I was the oldest of the grandchildren, no longer of an age to participate in the commotion produced by the younger cousins as they stampeded through the house in search of the afikoman, but not yet old enough to join the adults who took advantage of the occasion to chat about this and that while pretending to look for it.
I remained in my chair, feeling uncomfortable, until my grandfather beckoned me with his hand, and understanding my state of confusion, hurried to my rescue, pointing out the circle formed by my two youngest uncles and their friend.
Prepared to accept his suggestion, I stood up to join them, but at that moment the group dispersed.
I don’t know what my uncles did or where they went. From that moment on, and until the end of the evening, all my attention was focused on our mysterious guest.
About the anthology:
As the first anthology of translated multilingual Jewish fiction in 25 years, 18 is a highly-anticipated and transcendent collection that challenges the narrow viewpoint most people have about Jewish fiction, and attempts to change the monolithic way people think about this type of literature.
Each story in this collection has been translated into English from a different language; Albanian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Ladino, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Yiddish. These compelling, humorous, and moving stories, written by authors that include Isaac Babel, S.Y. Agnon, and Lili Berger, reflect both the diversities and the commonalities within Jewish culture, and will make you laugh, cry, and think. This beautiful book is easily accessible and enjoyable not only for Jewish readers, but for story-lovers of all backgrounds.
About Dr. Nora Gold:
Dr. Nora Gold, previously an Associate Professor, is currently the Founder and Editor of the prestigious online literary journal JewishFiction.net. She is also the prize-winning author of three books of fiction, as well as the recipient of two Canadian Jewish Book/Literary Awards and praise from Alice Munro.
Pre-order your copy of 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages, edited by Dr. Nora Gold.
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